17. Imperio

"Lil, read this," James said with a serious tone, handing her the Daily Prophet. It was yesterday's copy. They never got the news on time anymore, needing to wait until someone dropped a copy of it off when they came over.
Lily's eyes scanned from left to right, down the page, her expression changing from curiosity to horror.
"But that's ridiculous! Anybody could go around saying they had been under the effects of the Imperius Curse and done whatever they like." She threw the paper onto the table and wrapped her arms around herself.
"I know. And people are believing it too."
Lily shook her head. "Well... well they shouldn't! A dose of Veritaserum would have the truth out. I bet a gallon of unicorn blood that there's no truth to it. And look at who is claiming it happened to them! They're the Slytherins who got Severus involved in the dark arts. Just because they're not in HIS inner circle doesn't mean they're not on his side." She paused to catch her breath.
"Lily I know." James sighed and put his head in his hands. "It doesn't really feel like there's anything we can trust anymore."